The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-12

struction is painted, rather stained, vary
dull reddish brown, and as seen by the dim
light of the gas jets was anything hpt pleasant
TO look upon. The weird effect was heightened
by ths little sentry box which is locstsd just
back of the trap In this is stationed the man
who really is the ezecutioner Into this box
extends rope. At the given signal the I'M
known man inside cuts the rope with brand
new and especially sharrened chisel of wide d.
naensions, by striking the chisel heavy blow
with q malo. Down goes the trap distan CO
OF six feet and at the samestims tho murderers
are launched into eternity.
Some time after midnight Parsons com planned
that ths hum of conversation in the jail Office
annoyed him and prevented him from sleeping.
The wooden door which hangs the Office side
of the heavy bars of the inner door was closed,
and the Texas Anarchist dropped into un-
easy alumber. In the Office 8 busy crowd of
reporters stood writing st the high desks,
or louIged about, talking with the depu-
ties Occasionally a heavy step sound
ed on the iron stairs outside and
the storra-door was opened, revealing candi-
date for admission to all the horrors provided.
Tor the posssssors of passes. From within rNeeP
lawyers cage came s sharp metallic click Of
the Associated PresA instrument. dispatchinc
the gathering incidents OF the night; along the
otherwise silent corridors sounded the SLOW
regular tramp OF the deputies composing the
death watch. to aud fro, csaselessly, in front of
the cell doors behind which were the four for
feited lives. At brief intervals, when the hum
OF conversation sank low, could be heard the
measured tick OF the clock on the Office wall
marking time for the devoted ones for whom
time would be no more. On the street
armed policemen paced their beats, and al, who
had no business in the neishdorhood were per-
emptorily ordered to '.move on" and if they did
not move TT once they were assisted.
The Jail proper occupies tho Illinois street
front Of the building, while that part used by
the Criminal Court fronts on Michigan street.
On tho latter front Is the main entrance.
through which all who enter must
pass This opening is guarded by
q heavy double iron door, which i. kepu
closed and fastened by paddock and
chain. Immediately within the doors stand two
trusty policemen armed with breech-loadiug
rifles, and carrying thirty-eight rounds each in
q convenient cartridgebox. A step sounds in
the outer vestibue, and from the watchful
sentries comes the stern call. "Who comes
tterei' A voice from the outside responds, then
the paddock opens, the chain rattles and the
doors slide apart few inches, and survey 10
made by the guards of tho individual applying
for ad omission. If his credentials are satisfacto-
~ the doors are opened sufficiently for him to
pass In. Inside other guards. bearing rifles,
move about over the tiled floor. and at the head
of the wide stairway leading TO the upper floor
the muzzle of the loaded rifle in the hands OF an
officer projects over the steps. Tue conrt-rooms
above are occupied by several companies of po-
licemen, with a whole arsenal OF weapons and
ammunition. On the roof are numerous sentries
ready to fire on any suspicioua-loozing iudIvidu-
ais who may approach on the surrounding roofs
The jail proper is reached by crossing mar
row court, dismal and cold in the darkness. In
this part of the building SPECIAL preparations
havs been made for the reception OF unweleome
callers Now and then q louder voics than
common floats. cnt from tha cell room, where
some ordinary prisoner has walked with cry.
but from the cells OF the condemned comes only
the low murm1r of conversation between the
guards aud their wards.
About o'clock. while there was comparative
silence. the occupants of the sheriffs office were
startled by crash and a bang from the northern
corridor 1t was nothing-ony tho sheriff and
a few other officers ex permenting with the scat
fold and testing it and the ropes. few min
utes after o'clock Spies stood at the door of his
cell smoking and talking through the bars with
mis- guard AS the SLOW hours swung along, even
the proximity of death grew monotonous.
''Cone and look at Liugg," said Sheriff Astson
to group of reporters.
Between and o'clock the rumble of wheels
outside penetrated the thick walls, and wagon
drove up and unloaded four collins s-one for
Spies, ono for Ensel, one for Fischer and for
Parsons.
AT $3.50 all were asleep, Fisldsn and sehwab
IN their cells in the second tier. having retired
before midnight. In the first flush of relief TO
them, i'm prisonnent for life was a very small
matter, and they could sleep in safety.
Not many minutes from o'clock csrne day,
light. cold and pitiless tine law about TO be
avenged, and hustle different from that OF the
night invaded the secusion Of the prison. The
day OF the hanging had arrived. Six O'clock
of whistles, and the ringing of bells told that
the people outside were as1r. But the Anarch- |
lists sept on. II was just fifteen minutes TO |
when Engel awoke. Within the next ten min |
utss his thres doomed com panions opened their |
eyes. They tumhled out of their cots and hasii- |
~ dressed themselves No conversation took |
place between the Anarchists aud their guards. [
Spies and Parsons bade them good bye. and in n |
few minutes the three deputies emerged from |
the cel-room They were relieved by Others
Fischer was the first to emerge from his cell. |
by two deputies. he stepped over |
to the iron sink and took a good wash. His |
svery movement was closely watched. Spies |
next performed his ablutious. and seemed to !
Joy than. Old man Engsl followed the young |
and the last to waeh Was Parsons.
At 7:20 two walters from Msrtels restaurant /
brought to the prisoners their breakfasts. The
adibles were carried in large new clothes
basket and the linen and tableware looked
bright and clean.
A little incident occurred whom Parsons
stepped out TO wash himself. which was de-
scribed by lieutenant Laughlin. All the other |
Anarchists contented themselves with washing |
1t tho tap but when Parsons walked up the
'ink, he exclaimed: II see no wash basin here.
am accustomed 10 washing in basin, and
want one now" His nannsr was extremely ds-
liant. but though he reiterated his request for a
basin in gruf tones, he did noc get the desired
itensil He, by far, exhibited the most orava-
10 of any OF the Anarchists.
The active preparations for the execution be-
ran at o'clock, when baliff Cahill arrived at
he jail and assigned the deputy sherffs to their |
various positions during the event. It was an
,onnced that jsiler Foiz, with deputies Galpin,
Spears and Cleveland would condu the prison
RS to the scaffod and superintend the actual !
hanging. Deputy Lsibrandt with deputies
suslck, Hanks, Carney, Mailer and johnson,
Tere assigned TO guard the inaa entrance TO the
Jrimlua! Court building. The duty of taking |